Program Instructor: Coding for Gaming, Tufts Pre-College Programs
Position Overview
The Tufts University College Pre-College team is currently seeking a Program Instructor for our 1-week gaming program: Coding for Gaming, offered by Tufts' University College to rising High School sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduating seniors. "Coding for Gaming" is a fast-paced, immersive summer program that introduces high school students to the core principles of game development, interactive storytelling, and coding through the lens of professional game design. Students will gain hands-on experience designing, prototyping, and coding their own playable games. In just one week, students will explore the full game development pipeline—from concept to code—while learning about the collaborative roles of designers, developers, and storytellers in the gaming industry. The goal is for student to learn not just technical skills, but also creative problem-solving, playtesting, and game design. There is potential for this instructor to design their own curriculum and path for this program.
Time Commitment
Coding for Gaming will take place for 1-week: Monday, June 22-Friday, June 26, 2026. The Program Instructor can expect to work an average of 2-3 hours per week upon hire during the spring semester (expected to start late April) for pre-program planning, with full time hours during the 1-week June program.
- Program Planning: 2-3 hours/week from April-June (flexible days/times)
- Program Dates: June 22nd to June 26, 2025
- Program Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm with some preparation time before/after programming as needed
Compensation
The total compensation for the Coding Academy Program Instructor position, inclusive of all planning and program time, is $3,500 (standard summer instructor rate).
Responsibilities
As a Program Instructor, your duties include, but are not limited to:
Hiring/Payroll
- Identify guest speakers, recruit and hire instructional support positions
Program Preparation
- Place students into groups, set up Canvas, classroom sessions, other resources as needed
Program Planning
- Develops and refines Coding for Gaming curriculum, syllabus, and block schedule
- Designs summer program schedule, including field trips, as well as any opening and closing activities, in coordination with the Program Lead and Instructors
Operations
- Leads and instructs a group of students in an in-person instructional setting, maintaining high standards for behavior and safety from June 22nd to June 26th 2026.
- Attends all program events from June 22nd to June 26th 2026.
- Plans final project for students prior to program start with support of Program Lead
- Assists students who are struggling with course content and proactively supports them as needed
- Serves as a positive adult role model for members in the program through appropriate dress, speech, attitude, and courtesy
- Evaluates program daily and suggests improvements, needs, hazards and recurring trends to Program Lead for further evaluation
- Demonstrates reliability and punctuality by arriving on-time for all scheduled activities
- Ensures student attendance is monitored during programming, reporting on attendance to guarantee that proper safety procedures are followed
- Submits final grades in a timely manner in accordance with Tufts University deadlines
- Other duties as needed
Qualifications
Required:
- Must be able to instruct students of varying skill and experience levels in multiple programs based on interest and ability
- Must demonstrate responsibility, a desire to help others, discretion, and flexibility
- Ability to work with students of diverse ethnic backgrounds, academic profiles, and skill levels
- Knowledge and ability to instruct students in coding languages (C#, JavaScript, Python, or other similar programming languages)
- Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and customer service skills (written and verbal)
- Adept critical thinking, process development, and operationalization. Strong attention to detail
- Excellent project management skills, prioritization abilities and navigation of tight deadlines
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
- Passion for learning and education
Preferred:
- Computer/Engineering/STEM/Education related majors or relevant experience
- Experience teaching high school or undergraduate students in coding and/or game design
- Familiarity with popular programming languages (Python, JavaScript, C++, C#, HTML/CSS)
- Game, web and/or app development experience using languages such as Swift and/or Blockly
Apply Now
Submit your resume and cover letter to be considered for this position. Please reach out to precollege@tufts.edu with a subject line of: Coding for Gaming Program Instructor if you have any questions.